Pelican Lake

How big is Pelican Lake?

How deep is Pelican Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Pelican Lake?

What are the closest cities to Pelican Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Pelican Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Pelican Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Pelican Lake

Are there boat launches on Pelican Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Pelican Lake?

Pelican Lake is a 3,760-acre eutrophic (nutrient rich) system located southeast of Ashby in Grant County. Pelican Lake has a maximum depth of 21.0 feet and average depth of 10.0 feet. Water quality is seasonally poor due to nutrient enrichment and internal recycling of nutrients in bottom sediments during periods of strong winds. Water clarity during summer months (2009  2012) averaged only 2.7 feet due to frequent algae blooms and sediment re-suspension. Despite periods of poor water transparency, aquatic plants are abundant and are found in depths up to 8.0 feet. Game fish habitat conditions are not ideal, but due to the lake's high fertility and shoreline irregularity it is highly productive and supports very good fishing.

Walleyes are abundant due to natural reproduction and biennial fry stocking efforts. Gillnet catches during the June 2013 survey averaged 10.5 walleye/net. The catch was comprised of cohorts from 13 age classes. Due to the broad age structure, lengths at capture varied from 8.1 to 24.3 inches. Average size was 15.3 inches or 1.4 pounds.

Northern pike catches were also above average compared to similar lakes in Minnesota. Average size of pike was 23.5 inches and 2.8 pounds. Several captures exceeded 30.0 inches.

Members of the sunfish family do surprisingly well in Pelican Lake. Largemouth bass and bluegill sunfish are abundant. Bluegill catch rates in 2013 exceeded expectations. High abundance estimates are likely related to the establishment of a very strong year class in 2010. These three-year-old fish made up 62% of the total catch in trapnets. Lengths at capture varied from 3.2 to 10.0 inches. Approximately 7% of collected bluegills exceeded 8.0 inches. The largemouth bass population supports excellent fishing. Age distribution of the bass catch extended to age 15. Average length of bass caught was fairly small (9.6 inches). Low average size is likely due to the high proportion of young fish recruiting into the population. Despite a low average size, several large individuals (> 18.0 inches) were collected. Seventeen percent of bass caught were larger than 15.0 inches. Both black and white crappies co-exist in Pelican Lake. Black crappies are abundant and greatly outnumber white crappies. Much of the catch was comprised of young fish (age 4 or less). Black crappies collected in trapnets averaged 7.8 inches in length, but the maximum size caught was 13.9 inches. A high abundance of young crappies in Pelican Lake will afford good fishing in upcoming years.

Predator densities may be too great for optimal growth and sustainable yields. Numbers of yellow perch large enough to capture in gillnets has declined dramatically over past decades. None were large enough to harvest. Only 16 perch were caught. These captures averaged 5.9 inches in length. Due to excessive predation, perch are maturing earlier and channeling energy into reproduction rather than body growth. Pelican Lake's bass, walleye, and pike are hungry and should be easier to catch.

One point of public access is available in Pelican Lake. Public access consists of a concrete boat launch on the western shore (UTM coordinates [zone: 15]; 281117E, 5104789N).

Pelican Lake is scheduled to be surveyed every four years. Upcoming surveys are scheduled for 2017 and 2021.

What is the average air temp for Pelican Lake?

Are there any state parks near Pelican Lake?